Subsurface Access - The main goal of the Subsurface Access Area is to develop technologies to explore the Martian subsurface. This includes ground-based subsurface mapping techniques such as ground penetrating radar devices; methods of physical access to subsurface samples such as coring and sampling drills; and subsurface instrumentation such as borehole spectrometers. General instrument development is included in the Mars Instrument Development Project (MIDP).
Some of these systems involve the development of science instruments that can be brought to a subsurface sample. Others bring samples from the subsurface to elements on the surface. Drilling depths of interest may be roughly classified as shallow (less than one meter), moderate (greater than one meter and less than 50 meters) and deep (greater than 50 meters). All of these technologies must function in the unique environment of the Martian subsurface. This drives the development of rugged, low-mass, low-power designs that must be highly autonomous.
Given the increased uncertainties associated with operating such systems, these tasks aim to bring enabling technologies to high Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) so that they may be readily utilized by future missions. In most cases, achieving this high level of maturity will necessitate field testing as well as other relevant environmental tests.
Point of Contact: Suparna Mukherjee
